FBI Fires Peter Strzok, Agent Who Slammed Trump in Texts
Surely, we don't need to tell you Trump has already gloated about Strzok's firing via Twitter
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty
On Friday, FBI senior counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, who sent anti-Trump text messages while assisting with the Hillary Clinton and Russia investigations (along with anti-Hillary and anti-Bernie texts, too), was fired. Strzok’s lawyer confirmed on Monday that his client had been formally fired from the FBI—however, the reason remains unclear.
Strzok was removed from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation team after the Justice Department learned about texts sent to FBI lawyer Lisa Page on an official government cell phone during the 2016 election. In the messages, Page asks: ”[Trump is] not ever going to become president, right? Right?!” to which Strzok responded, “No. No he won’t. We’ll stop it.” While these texts were a private expression of how Trump disgusts Strzok (and many others), they raise questions as to his credibility as he helped lead the bureau’s investigations.
Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz released a report concerning Strzok’s text messages, his personal email account that had been used for sensitive information and his alleged decision to work slowly when examining emails related to the Clinton investigation before the 2016 election. Hundreds of texts were examined and Horowitz claimed to be “deeply troubled” by the exchanges.
Trump proceeded to announce that Strzok had targeted him during the campaign before calling him “treasonous” and a “disgrace.” Earlier this month, at a congressional hearing, Strzok was bombarded with questions from Republican lawmakers who probed his character by asking personal questions, even questioning his marriage. Strzok claims he never leaked information about the Russia investigation. He said there is “no evidence of bias in my professional actions,” expressing “significant regret” for the texts but also condemning Trump’s recent rhetoric concerning the Russia investigation. He said, “This investigation is not politically motivated; it is not a witch hunt; it is not a hoax.” He went on to argue that calling him to testify was “just another victory notch in [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s belt and another milestone in our enemies’ campaign to tear America apart.”
After the hearing, the FBI originally decided Strzok should be demoted and face a 60-day suspension. However, FBI Director David Bowdich had the final say and decided Strzok should be fired altogether. The FBI has not released a statement or commented on their decision.